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Our mission

We believe entrepreneurs are uniquely placed to transform the world, today and in the future, by using their skills, networks, and resources to tackle huge, seemingly insurmountable problems. However, they often lack the time, tools, or knowledge to direct their charitable giving where it will do the most good.

Founders Pledge exists to bridge this gap. We advise on, facilitate, and maximize the impact of our members’ giving.

In our vision of the future, the value created by technology benefits those who need it most.

Our story

We’re focused on maximizing impact in everything we do.

We launched out of Founders Forum — Europe's foremost network of digital and technology entrepreneurs — in 2015. Since then, our drive to make high-impact giving the norm has seen our member base grow into a global community of almost 2,000 members from more than 40 countries. Together, they have pledged more than $10 billion to charity and already donated over $1 billion to the charitable sector.

Founders Pledge operates globally from registered nonprofits in the US, UK, and Germany. We don’t charge membership fees, and there is no cost to join. We are funded by a number of generous donors who believe in our ability to deliver outsized impact with their gifts. In 2023, over 40% of our operating expenses were funded by members. We’re also grateful to work with foundations like Open Philanthropy, and corporate partners, such as Pictet.*

*Figures correct as of Oct. 2024.

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▲ Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash.

Our team

Our senior team combines years of experience across the nonprofit, corporate and technology sectors to set the strategic direction of the organization.

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David Goldberg

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

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Charlotte Monico

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

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Crystal Chiu

Community Director

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Dawn Fournier

Philanthropic Services Director

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Diane Sheard

Chief of Staff

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Dominic Finelli

Principal Advisor

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Ellen MacKay

Director of Product, Communications and Technology

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Emily Hoble

Global Head of Growth

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Harry Fellowes

Head of Technology

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Lizzi Amartey

Head of People

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Matt Hurst-Smith

Chief Experience Officer

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Matt Lerner

Research Director

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Nakita Naik

Interim Head of Community

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Sean Hegarty

Chief Financial Officer

Our Trustees and Directors share a strong commitment to our mission, and apply their backgrounds in international development, finance and business to oversee our operations and ensure we stay true to our goals.

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Vikrant Bhargava

Chair; UK Trustee

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Andreas Haug

UK Trustee

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Anna McKelvey

UK Trustee

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Danielle Bayer

US Director

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David Klein

US Director

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Erin Platts

UK Trustee

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Isobel Morton

UK Trustee

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Luke Ding

UK Trustee

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Philippa Lawrence

US Director

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Rob Chapman

UK Trustee

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Sabrina Pourmand

US Director

We’re guided by a network of Advisors with expertise in philanthropy, research and business. 

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Alex Comninos

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Dafna Bonas

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Damian Kimmelman

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Jaan Tallinn

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Jonathan Harris

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Moran Cerf

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Neil Hutchinson

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Azzurra Bruni

Investment Committee

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Mark Doherty

Investment Committee

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Stephen Zinser

Investment Committee

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Andrew Patey

Audit & Risk Committee

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Chris Willis Pickup

Audit & Risk Committee

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Mandy Girder

Audit & Risk Committee

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Natalie Fletcher

Audit & Risk Committee

Our partners

Corporates, Foundations & In-Kind
Beluga
Better Nature
BMH Brautigam
Cooley
Dropbox Sign
Founders Forum Group
Front
Google
Hangarter | Legal
Miro
Notion
Open Philanthropy
Personio
Pictet
Pledge Ventures
Squire Patton Boggs
UBS Optimus
Research
GiveWell
Happier Lives Institute
Open Philanthropy
Rethink Priorities
Schmidt Futures